Collapsible egg case



May 25, 1937. c. MCKIM COLLAPSIBLE EGG CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 16, 1935 C. MCKIM May `25, 193 7.

COLLAPS IBLE EGG CASE 2 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Fviled Nov. 16, 1935 Patented May 25, 1937 'rs sms rar l GFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in collapsible egg cases.

One object of my invention is to provide an egg case that may be readily collapsed to render 5 it more compact, and thus facilitate shipping and storage.

A further object of my invention is to provide a collapsible egg case that will be a great convenience to farmers and producers who haul their eggs to market in automobiles or trucks, by reason of the fact that access may be easily and readily gained to the contents of the case without the expenditure or" the usual time and labor required to remove and nail the top back in place, and for the further reason that after sale or delivery of the product, the case may be collapsed to render same more compact and thus provide additional space for merchandise on the return trip. s With the foregoing and other objects in view that will appear as the nature of my invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes 'only and are therefore not drawn to scale:

Figure l is a top plan View of an egg case, embodying my improvements.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan View.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section, taken on line 3-3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section, taken on line 1i-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged diagonal section, taken 4on line 5-5 of Figure 1 and the remaining views are details of various features of my invention.

Referring to the drawings for a more particular description of my invention, and in which drawings like parts are designated by like reference characters throughout the several views, the numeral i designates the top, 2 the bottom, 3 and 3 the ends and l and il the sides of my improved collapsible egg case. The aforesaid parts are made in individual units and may be removably fastened together in the proper relationship, in the manner hereinafter described, to provide a strong, rigid and durable case for the shipment of eggs or other products, or may be collapsed to render the case very compact. This facilitates transportation or storage and provides additional space on the return trip for merchandise, after the product has been sold or delivered.

In carrying out my invention, the side and end members are removably connected together at the four corners, and at the top and bottom of the case, by the upper and lower diagonal fastening members and B, respectively, each consisting of a pair of corresponding links 'I and 8 connected together at their inner ends by the eyes 9 and formed at their outer ends with the vertical right-angularly bent portions I0, which extend through corresponding vertical openings II and I2 in the upper and lower re-inforcing bars I3 and I4, respectively.

The interior of the case is divided into two corresponding compartments I5 and I6, by the central transverse partition II, and this partition is held in removable position by the hooks I8 engaging the eyes I9.

When the top and bottom of the case are in place, the corners thereof iit under the upper and lower diagonal fastening members 5 and 6, and the top may be additionally secured in place by the hooks 20. The hooks 20 comprise the vertical arms 2I, which are pivoted in corresponding openings 22 in the upper re-inforclng bars I3, and the off-set horizontal body portions 23 adapted to fit over and embrace the cross` reinforcing strips or slats 24 fastened to the upper face of the top. The outer ends of the body portions 23 are formed with hooks 25 adapted to engage corresponding eyes 26, secured to the upper edges of the re-inforcing bars I3. Hooks and eyes may also be associated with the bottom, if desired.

My improved collapsible case may be constructed with less lumber, and will have a much longer life than the ordinary case, since the constant nailing and withdrawal of nails impairs and shortens the life of the latter.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, it is thought that the construction, operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood, without requiring a more extended explanation.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

l. A collapsible egg case, comprising individual top, bottom, side and end members, and diagonal fastening members for connecting the side and end members together at the corners and at both the top and bottom of the case, each of said fastening members comprising a pair of corresponding links formed at their inner ends interlocking eyes and terminating at their outer ends in vertical portions engaging corresponding openings in the side and end members, a transverse partition dividing the case into tWo corresponding compartments, cross re-inforcing strips on the upper face of the top and hooks and eyes for removably securing the top in place, said hooks having offset horizontal body portions adapted to t over and embrace the cross reinforcing strips.

CHARLES MCKIM. 

